Nectarine tree named ‘NSRED14262’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree denominated ‘NSRED14262’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NSRED14262’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2017/3054 filed on Nov. 23, 2017 (11/23/17) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of blood nectarine tree, also named red colored flesh nectarine, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NSRED14262’. This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone dark red or blood red flesh fruits for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357), to ‘NSRED15265’ blood nectarine tree (not patented) and to ‘NSRED15273’ blood nectarine tree (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,465, published under No. US 2019/0159386) for reliable description. ‘NSRED14262’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration both before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NSRED14262’ red nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 700 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NSRED14262’ variety resulted from an open pollination of the ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357), which was used as the seed parent. Then, the pollen parent of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ remains unknown.

The ‘NSRED14262’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NSRED14262’ red nectarine tree blooms at the end of February or early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it usually blooms between February 26th and March 23^(rd). The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NSRED14262’ ripens generally at the end of June or early in July, sometimes earlier during June. More particularly, it usually ripens between June 10^(th) and July 7^(th). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a close view of the trunk of the new variety in orchard.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows some trees of the new variety, in orchard, at blossoming time, with opened flowers.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows typical flowers of ‘NSRED14262’ variety at blooming for depicting the flower buds at different stages of development; and the reverse and side view of the flowers and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which shows two typical specimens of the fruit, and one supplementary fruit having been cut in halves with the stone being left into the half shown on FIG. 4 for depicting fruit flesh and stone of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph that shows a close view of three whole typical fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ at ripening time, and one-half fruit in which the stone has been left.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ at ripening time.

The views of trees, trunk and flowers have been photographed in their fourth growing season (second year of production). The views of fruits have been photographed in their second and third growing season (first and second year of production respectively).

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NSRED14262’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; the flowering usually begins at the end of February or during the first two weeks of March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size. Petals are colored in pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruit flesh is pink red, also named blood red. The fruit skin is colored in purple red color. The stone is semi clingstone. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No 23,357), which is the seed parent of ‘NSRED14262’, the new variety shows a surprising bright blood pink red flesh color whereas the fruits of ‘NECTARPERF’ present a white colored flesh.

The ripening time of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ is considered early to medium, namely at the end of June or early in July, whereas the fruits of the variety ‘NECTARPERF’ ripen late during the season, namely at the end of August or early in September, depending on the years.

Compared to ‘NSRED15265’ blood nectarine tree (not patented), which has a medium season of maturity, the ripening time of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ is considered early to medium. Consequently, the fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ ripen usually earlier than the fruits of the variety named ‘NSRED15265’. Also, the taste of the fruits produced by the ‘NSRED15265’ is more acid than the taste of the ‘NSRED14262’ fruits. Consequently, the fruit taste for the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ is considered semi-sweet, whereas the fruits of the similar variety ‘NSRED15265’ have a taste which is considered equilibrate. The fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ are smaller than those of the similar variety ‘NSRED15265’.

Compared to ‘NSRED15273’ blood nectarine tree (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,465, published under No. US 2019/0159386), which has a medium to late season of maturity, the fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ ripen earlier. The new variety ‘NSRED14262’ produces smaller fruits than those of the similar variety named ‘NSRED15273’. Consequently, the fruits produced by the similar variety ‘NSRED15273’ are heavier than the fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’. The fruit skin color of similar variety ‘NSRED15273’ is also considered darker than fruit skin color of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of red nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their fourth growing season (first year of production) for trees, leaves and flowers and on trees in their second or third growing season (first or second year of production) for the fruits, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. (Royal Horticultural Society) Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including             current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently             reduced to 250 cm the next years. -   Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole     orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree     lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same     tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard     contained 2500 trees by hectare. -   Vigor: Considered medium vigorous. -   Productivity: The productivity is considered very good and regular,     every year. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining     fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit     set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural     practices employed during the bloom period and is therefore not     distinctive of the present variety. -   Bearer: Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered     homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year.     Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the tree     valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the years of     observation. -   Form: The ‘NSRED14262’ variety has naturally a semi-flared to     semi-upright shape. -   Density: Considered dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales     departement typical climatic conditions. Experimentations on the     same orchard in Elne, Pyrénées-Orienteles department, with winter     chilling requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 700 hours and     1200 hours according to the specificities of the year, namely 1031     hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893 hours in 2014-2015,     718 hours in 2015-2016, 825 hours in 2016-2017 and 1017 hours in     2017-2018 showed a good behaviour of the trees in all cases. No     damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12     degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant to     frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately 53.0 to 56.0 millimeters in diameter when     measured at a distance of approximately 20.0 centimeters above the     soil level. -   Bark texture: Considered rough, with lenticels. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels     reaches 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size     approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height and from     approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters in width. -   Lenticel color: The lenticels have a light orange color (RHS Greyed     Orange 167 A to RHS Greyed Orange 167 B). -   Bark coloration: The bark has a light brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A)     color.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches and current season shoots are considered     medium for the variety. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The     current season shoots have a diameter of approximately 4.0 to 6.0     millimeters, and branches in their second growing season have a     diameter from 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters. -   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no     furrowed appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally of 45 degrees for the current season     shoots and 45 degrees for the mature branches from the horizontal     axis. This particular characteristic is not considered distinctive     of the variety, however. -   Internode length: Generally between 26.0 and 34.0 millimeters for     the current season shoots and between 38.0 and 42.0 millimeters for     the mature branches. -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas             the upper part is darker and colored in purple to brown(RHS             Greyed Red 178 B).         -   Surface texture.—Smooth, without lenticel. -   Mature branches:     -   -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B).         -   Surface texture.—The surface texture of mature branches is             smooth to rough, with a few medium lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—The number of lenticels on mature branches             reaches 1 lenticel per cm². The lenticels range in size             approximately 0.5 to 1.0 millimeter in height and             approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters in width. The lenticels             are stretched round in shape.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a             light orange color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 C).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species. -   Leaf length: Approximately 171.0 millimeters with leaf petiole. -   Leaf width: Approximately 57.25 millimeters. -   Leaf base shape: Concave. -   Leaf form: Entire. -   Leaf tip form: Caudate. -   Leaf base form: Acute. -   Leaf thickness: Medium. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B) than             the upper leaf surface color. -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous on both surfaces. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—The mid-vein or midrib is light green (RHS Yellow             Green 145 D). The color may evolve with maturity.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters. -   Lateral veins:     -   -   Color.—The lateral veins are considered a light green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 C). -   Leaf margins: Entire, with smooth margins, without toothing. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller     leaves (at least 50% smaller). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Shape.—Ribbed.         -   Length.—About 8.0 to about 11.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters. -   Petiole color:     -   -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C).         -   Ratio between limb length and petiole length.—16. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0             millimeter and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Round.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turns to a brown color (RHS Brown 200 B).         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular. -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 9.0 to 12.0             millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 to 22.0 millimeters             long. The distribution of the flower buds is considered             homogenous on the trees.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the             bottom of the flowers buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle,             is of purple-brown color at the outer surface of the calyx             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B). The             inner surface of the calyx is considered orange yellow (RHS             Yellow Orange 17 A to RHS Yellow Orange 17 B). The corolla,             formed by the petals, is generally of pink color (RHS Red             Purple 65 B). Petal and sepal color shows an evolution until             the end of flowering. -   Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. No winter     injury was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the     central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as     low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not     been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the     variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up     to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30     degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer. -   Date of bloom: The blooming time generally begins at the end of     February or during the first two weeks in March. The first bloom was     observed on Mar. 14, 2015. -   Blooming time: Considered medium-season in relative comparison to     other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the     Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is     observed at the middle of the blooming period. The date of bloom     varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.     Thus, the first full bloom was observed from March 14^(th) until     Mar. 23, 2015, then from February 26^(th) until Mar. 6, 2016, then     from March 6^(th) until Mar. 13, 2017. -   Duration of bloom: Medium. Approximately 8 to 10 days. This     characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic     conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower     (rosette type). -   Flower size: Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at full     bloom is approximately 34.0 to 45.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately between 35 and 50     flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a high rate of fruit     set. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium. -   Length: Generally between 20.0 to 24.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally 19.0 to 21.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Generally 5, sometimes more than 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth, soft and glabrous. -   Arrangements of petals: Overlapping. -   Petal color: Both surfaces of the petal are colored in pale pink to     pink (RHS Red Purple 62 B to RHS Red Purple 62 C) when young,     becoming slightly darker and medium pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to RHS     Red Purple 65 C to RHS Red Purple 65 D) until the end of blooming. -   Fragrance: Soft. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a triangular form,             narrower at the base.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters at the base.         -   Color.—A similar color (RHS Red Purple 62 C) to the petal             color, or a darker pink (RHS Red 51 A to RHS Red 51 B) than             the petal color. -   Petal margins: Generally considered slightly undulating. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide-dome shaped. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.0 to 1.5             millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow Green 145             B or RHS Yellow Green 144 B). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,             the inner surface of the calyx, or flower receptacle, is             matt and considered yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 153 D),             sometimes yellow orange (RHS Yellow Orange 17 A to RHS             Yellow Orange 17 B). The outer surface of the calyx is             considered of purple-color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS             Greyed Purple 183 B) and yellow green at the base (RHS             Yellow Green 144 B). -   Sepals:     -   -   Number.—Generally five sepals, sometimes six.         -   Shape.—Conic with a round tip.         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Medium to large.         -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 7.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, the lower surface of the             sepals is greenish (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to RHS Yellow             Green 146 B). The upper surface of sepals is colored with a             purple brown (RHS Greyed Orange 177 A or RHS Greyed Purple             183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B). -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 36 to 42 stamens     per flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Medium in length, with a round shape.         -   Color.—The color of the anthers evolves from an orange             yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange             16 B) to an orange red color (RHS Orange Red N34 A) with             maturity. -   Pollen production: Pollen production is considered important and the     pollen shows a yellow color (RHS Yellow 13 B to RHS Yellow 13 C or     RHS Yellow 17 B to RHS Yellow 17 C) which may evolve with maturity.     The present variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Medium length, between 9.0 and 17.0 millimeters in             length. Filaments length is generally smaller than the             pistil's length. -   Color: Considered white (RHS White N155 D) or light pink (RHS Red     purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple 62 D) to pink (RHS Red Purple 65 A to     RHS Red Purple 65 B or RHS Red Purple 73 A to RHS Red Purple 73 B)     depending on the maturity stage. The color evolves and becomes     darker during the blooming. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 17.0 to 21.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally higher than stamen length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group             151 D or RHS Yellow Green 150 C to RHS Yellow Green 150 D)             at the beginning of blooming, the pistil may be colored with             a slight pink (RHS Red Group 36 D) at the end of blooming.         -   Stigma.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter in diameter, with a             greenish yellow color (RHS Yellow Green 153 B).         -   Ovary.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height. The             diameter of the ovary is about 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters. The             color is considered light green (RHS Yellow Green N144 B).         -   Pubescence of the ovary.—Absent.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm in ripe conditions (shipping ripe). -   Date of first picking: Jun. 9, 2014. -   Date of last picking: The date of harvest varies slightly with the     prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NSRED14262 variety has an early     to medium date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is     grouped within 6 to 8 days and the harvest is generally performed in     two runs. Last known picking times carry on from Jun. 9 to Jun. 15,     2014 then from Jun. 10 to Jun. 17, 2015, then from Jun. 29 to Jul.     6, 2016,then from Jul. 2 to Jul. 7, 2017 and then from Jun. 13 to     Jun. 19, 2018. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Generally, size A or B. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 62.0 to 67.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 56.0 to 68.0 millimeters. -   Typical weight: Generally about 153.0 to 168.0 grams. This     characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural     practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the     variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round (in ventral view) and regular. Sometimes             the fruit is slightly asymmetric, viewed from the suture's             plane. -   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending from the     base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along     the suture line. Not pointed.     -   -   Mucron.—Absent. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar red color to the             whole fruit color (RHS Greyed Purple N 186 B to RHS Greyed             Purple N 186 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed. -   Base: Semi-flared, shallow. -   Stem cavity: Flared. Average depth of the stem cavity is about 6.0     to 9.0 millimeters. Average width is about 13.0 to 16.0 millimeters. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered medium to very thick and strong, and             the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,             depending on the fruit maturity.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous, without any pubescence.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is dark purple red to dark red             (RHS Greyed Purple N186 B to RHS Greyed Purple N186 C or RHS             Greyed Purple 187 A). The red blush covers 95 to 100% of the             fruit skin surface on a red (RHS Red 46 A) or purple red             background (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The percentage of the             blush on the fruit skin surface can vary and is generally             dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the             fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers at the most 5% of the             fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS Red 46 A) or             purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).         -   Lenticels.—Very thin lenticels are present. -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 7.0 to 9.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet, sugary and very aromatic. The             Brix is generally superior to 12 and acidity is low,             comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Flesh color.—The flesh of the new variety ‘NSRED14262’ is             colored in a bright red (RHS Red 46 A or RHS Orange Red N34             A or RHS Red 45 A), also named blood red color, usually with             a lighter pink red color around the stone cavity.

STONE

-   Type: Semi clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the fruit     maturity. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Approximately 28.0 to 33.0 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately 22.0 to 25.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters. -   Form: Elliptic to obovate. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, pointed. -   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, with a form and dimensions     corresponding to the stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered     light brown to beige (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B to RHS Greyed Orange     164 C or RHS Greyed Orange 163 B to RHS Greyed Orange 163 C). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent, depending on climatic     conditions between blooming period and stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 10.0 to 11.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered flattened and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is an orange to orange-brown color             (RHS Greyed Orange 165 A or RHS Greyed Orange N167 A to RHS             Greyed Orange N167 B). The almond, which is the seed of the             kernel, is white (RHS White 155 B). The kernel and its             embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘NSRED14262’ is considered to be a     nectarine tree having an early to medium season of fruit maturity,     and which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively     colored with a dark purple red. The high content of antioxidant in     the red flesh convert fruits in a very healthy product. Fruits have     a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption,     crunchy or melting when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent     gustative qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and     density, they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product     (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are also     useful for both local and very long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation and a long     shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are     preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well     preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new red     blood nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface. 